For mostly paved and dirt roads and eventually a trip to South America, can't beat a V-Strom. Price and reliability make it a better choice than the others you mention, capability are all about the same.

Spot on!

The power of the Tiger is addictive and the BMW has low center of gravity and low first gear so good for slow stuff - but price and reliabilty wise - you cant beat the V-strom.

None of these bikes are good off roaders though - way too big and heavy.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

That's a matter of opinion, not a fact

A lighter, more trail oriented machine will lack 2-up (with luggage) capability. It's all a compromise, but all of these bike are seriously capable offroad (even the Strom) in the hands of a competent rider.

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Squily

Strom in the sand...



Can be a handful...


But it'll get you wherever your dreams will take you



As with any machine, the biggest constraint it the rider

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Squily

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nENfDX3eXpU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44Ph0wVsscI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6DJgksyfNg

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Squily

Its a matter of fact that a lighter bike are easier to handle when the going gets rough and tough. 150 kilos ARE lighter than 250 kilos.

A bigger bike might handle more luggage better but then again - overloaded are underprepared...

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

True- small bike is lighter to handle off-road, but again I don't agree with your 2nd comment.

Sorry, we're highjacking the thread, but what is overloaded? One person's idea differs from another when it comes to what is essential to take along. I have a mate who is a minimalist. He takes the clothes he wares, basic tools for tyre repair, a bivvy and a satphone when he goes remote. His safety net is the satphone- if anything breaks on the bike, he calls someone to come and help. His gear weighs around 10kg. Me, I take food, water, more tools, spare tubes, a comfortable swag with a mattress etc. I do not intend to call for help unless I'm lying in a ditch with a broken leg or the bike is totally cactus. But my gear generally ways in around 60kg. So who's better prepared or who's overloaded? Me or him? It's all a matter or perspective.

IMO, One thing most 'lighter bike is better' advocates tend to forget is Power-to-weight ratio. A KLR / XT with 60kg of luggage is more of a handful on a sand track than a more powerful, but heavier machine like the 800's or the AT.

Now Ninja asked about specific bikes. He already indicated two-up traveling. Even if he only stays in hotels, then my logic would suggest that he will be looking at an all-rounder machine that will be comfortable for long distance travel, carry a load of at least 150kg (not that unreasonable- 2 people + 10kg of luggage - more likely, it will be closer to >180kg). Not a comfortable option/proposition on a smaller machine IMO. Been there, done that, not going back.

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Squily

Yes we are hijacking the thread - and sorry for that. I also didnt notice that TS indicated two up travel. Anyhow - two up off road on a relatively big bike? How many % of his trips with two up will be off road? A decent dirt road - no big problem but loose gravel, sand, single lane paths, ruts, stockpaths etc - I dont think that will be much % of two up riding. But two-up and off road is a bit condradictive. Its like saying Im going to run a marathon - in army boots. Not a thing most people would do.

When it comes to bike size and amount of luggage. How many times have you heard any overland traveller say - I wish I took a bigger and heavier bike? And - I wish I brought more stuff, luggage and equipment?
And how many times have you heard the opposite? I wish I took less stuff and equipment with me! And I wish I rode a smaller bike, lighter bike, more nimble bike etc? Thats what you here all the time. Nobody wishes they brought more stuff and bigger bikes - everybody wishes they had less stuff and smaller/lighter bikes. And why? Because people understand when they have had a bit of experience. Nobody who takes a 1000 cc on a long travel takes a 1200 next long travel. The chance they downscale is very much bigger - and why? Because they learn and get experience.

You mention power to weight ratio. Well power is good and fun to have but people travel around the world on Vespa 50 ccs and Aussie postie bikes - so power isnt neccesary for long distance travelling. But it is fun - no doubt about that. In the end you will need to come down to a compromise between size, power, cost, reliability etc.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

We obviously move in different circles- The majority of my mates start small, go up, not down. Each to his own

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Squily